I’m An Agency Owner Get Me Out Of Here! - Jonathan Leafe

When you plan to sell your agency, you must know that "Only 1 in 400* marketing agencies will ever be bought out." But as Jonathan Leafe says: "That doesn't mean you can't exit successfully."

There are many ways to exit your Agency, such as a trade sale, management buyout (MBO), management buy-in (MBI), and private equity investments.

A well-maintained client database and a superior team can create opportunities to pursue a trade sale for your agency. Successful deals are achievable when you have factual data and experienced staff to back you up.

Management buy-in and management buyout offer a potential route for employees to acquire an agency. Jonathan explores this topic in detail in his speech. He explains that it is a process with many complexities and nuances.

Lastly, Private Equity Investments can be an exit route for agency owners who are looking to exit their business while still keeping some influence in the company. It can also be an option for agencies who are seeking additional capital and growth opportunities.

The key takeaway is that exit routes vary depending on each agency owner's goals and needs, and agency owners need to do their homework before embarking on this voyage.

Listen to Jonathan Leafe to learn more about what you should know before selling your agency. Here is an introduction from her article in the Agency Growth Book:

"Here's a 'bring you back down to earth' fact - Only 1 in 400* marketing agencies will ever be bought out. And those that do tend to be specialists, with high margins and with a high turnover.

* According to The highly respected 2 Bobs podcast.

That doesn't mean you can't exit successfully. But if you're chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and relying on that to fund your retirement - please don't! That's why I came up with the solution - I'm an agency owner, get me out of here!

At some stage, you may well want to exit, here's how:

• Trade sale

• Management Buyout

• Management Buy-in

• Private Equity - Not really a full exit

I planned to sell my business 10 years before I managed to do it. My plan always was to exit by the time I was 55 to give me some time to develop my last career of mentoring, consulting and advising, which I thoroughly enjoy.”